Notice that chords aren't affected by key signatures. F# is, for example, the black key to the right of F and Bb is the black key to the left of B (see also Scale theory – Fundamentals). The sharp (#) means that the black key is to the right of the white key and the flat (b) means that the black key is to the left on the white key. In both cases, the # and b symbols mean that you play on a black key instead of a white. The notes in the F Major scale are F, G, A, Bb, C, D, E. The flat symbol (b) is placed on the B line in the grand staff. This becomes logical if you are familiar with note reading. In musical notation with double note systems (which is the standard form of music written for the piano) the accidentals are placed lower in the bass clef compared to the treble staff. The F position on the musical staff is marked with a sharp symbol and this is because the notes in the G Major key are G, A, B, C, D, E, F#. Examples of key signatures and their symbols Key changes occur in musical pieces, which are indicated by a temporally key signature that turns up in the staff when the change happen. You can see symbols for flats or sharps near the clefs, this is the key signature. On music sheets, you will get the statement of the actual key in the notation system at the beginning of a written music piece. The key signature in music is represented by one or many flats (b) or sharps (#), so-called accidentals (the exception is C Major for which no accidentals are shown).

Flat symbols